Every way into Cabo Verde.

The tourism visa is required by nationals of countries that do not have a visa-waiver agreement with Cabo Verde and is used for recreational travel, visits and cruises. It must be used within 180 days of issuance, allows a stay of up to 90 days renewable for an equal period, and is granted by Cabo Verde embassies and consulates, at the EASE platform or at border posts. A typical consular single-entry visa fee is about EUR 44.20 (about EUR 88.60 for multiple entry); a free visa may also be obtained on arrival from the Foreigners and Borders service. The EASE pre-registration and TSA still apply on top of the visa. It grants no work or residence rights.

Government fee

€44.20

Max stay

90 days

Validity

180 days

Since 2019 most short-stay visitors from the EU, UK, USA, Canada, ECOWAS/CEDEAO, CPLP and other partner states no longer need a Cabo Verde tourist visa; instead every foreign traveller (except Cabo Verdean nationals and resident-permit holders) must pre-register on the EASE platform (www.ease.gov.cv) at least 5 days before travel and pay the Airport Security Tax (Taxa de Seguranca Aeroportuaria, TSA). The TSA is 3,400 CVE (about EUR 31) for international flights and 150 CVE (about EUR 1.36) for inter-island flights; children under two and official-mission passengers are exempt. The EASE registration carries passport, flight and accommodation data, is valid for one year, and covers a stay of up to 30 days for visa-exempt nationals. It confers no work or residence rights.

Government fee

CVE 3,400

Max stay

30 days

Validity

365 days

The transit visa is for travellers who must stop over in Cabo Verde while travelling to a final destination in a third country. It is a single-entry visa valid for a stay of up to 4 days, renewable, and requires a travel document valid beyond the intended transit and evidence of onward travel. The EASE pre-registration and Airport Security Tax apply on arrival. It confers no work, study or residence rights.

Max stay

4 days

Temporary residence authorisation for foreign students admitted to a recognised higher-education institution in Cabo Verde. Applicants must show proof of enrolment, payment of fees and means of subsistence, plus housing and a clean criminal record. The permit is valid for 2 years and renewable for successive 2-year periods covering the study programme. Time spent studying counts toward the 5 years of temporary residence required for permanent residence. Applications are filed with the DEF or via the e-residencia portal.

• Study: Full enrolment at the admitting higher-education institution.
• Residency after 5 years

Validity

730 days

Cabo Verde's Remote Working Programme grants a temporary residence to non-resident remote workers and their families who earn their income outside Cabo Verde. It is open to nationals of Europe, North America, the CPLP and the ECOWAS/CEDEAO area. Applicants prove a minimum average bank balance over the previous six months of EUR 1,500 for an individual or EUR 2,700 for a family. The permit is valid for 6 months and renewable once for a further 6 months (one year maximum). Holders are not treated as Cabo Verde tax residents and pay no local income tax on foreign-sourced earnings. The visa fee is around 5,000 CVE (about EUR 45), plus the EASE pre-registration and the Airport Security Tax.

• Work: Remote work for foreign employers/clients only; no access to the Cabo Verde labour market.
• Family: Spouse and dependants can be included under the higher EUR 2,700 family balance threshold.

Government fee

CVE 5,000

Validity

180 days

Temporary residence authorisation for foreigners carrying on an independent profession or service activity in Cabo Verde, evidenced by an established company, a service contract or a declaration from the relevant professional order. It requires a residence visa, means of subsistence, housing, a tax number, social-security enrolment where applicable and a clean criminal record. The permit is valid for 2 years and renewable for successive 2-year periods, leading to permanent residence after 5 years of temporary residence. Applications are filed with the DEF or via the e-residencia portal.

• Work: Authorises the declared independent professional or service activity.
• Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the activity.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members can join via family reunification.

Validity

730 days

The temporary visa is for purposes that exceed a short tourist stay but do not yet justify a residence visa, including cultural travel, business missions, professional or technical activities not exceeding one year, artistic and sporting activity, teaching and qualified work. Applicants must document the purpose of the stay. It is the usual route for short professional assignments and self-employed activity of limited duration before any move to a residence permit. The EASE pre-registration and Airport Security Tax apply.

• Work: Permits the documented professional/technical activity for up to one year; not open-ended employment.
• Residency after 5 years

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

Temporary residence authorisation for foreigners taking up employment in Cabo Verde under a valid work contract that meets legal requirements. The application is filed with the Direccao de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (or any National Police unit) up to 15 days before the current visa or authorised stay expires and requires a residence visa, means of subsistence, housing, a tax number, social-security enrolment where applicable, and a clean criminal record. The permit (and its Titulo de Residencia card) is valid for 2 years and renewable for successive 2-year periods. After 5 years of temporary residence the holder may apply for permanent residence. Renewal must be requested at least 45 days before expiry.

• Work: Authorises subordinate employment under the contract presented.
• Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside work.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members can join via family reunification.

Validity

730 days

The Green Card is a permanent-residence status granted to foreigners who acquire real estate in Cabo Verde, created to attract second-home and tourism-real-estate investment. The qualifying investment is at least EUR 80,000 (about 8,821,200 CVE) in municipalities with below-average GDP per capita, or at least EUR 120,000 (about 13,231,800 CVE) in municipalities at or above the national average. The capital must be transferred from abroad and the property must be unencumbered. The status grants permanent residence (renewed every 5 years) and, where the investor is a retiree whose pension was earned abroad, an income-tax exemption under the personal income tax code. It is a residence programme, not citizenship by investment.

• Work: Permanent residence gives broad access to live and work in Cabo Verde.
• Study: Permanent residents may study on equal terms.
• Residency: This is permanent residence from the outset, renewed every 5 years; no citizenship-by-investment route exists.
• Family: Family members can be included or join via family reunification.

Validity

1,825 days

Min. investment

€80,000

Temporary residence authorisation for foreigners making a significant investment or carrying on a relevant economic activity in Cabo Verde, the active-business route promoted alongside Cabo Verde TradeInvest and the International Business Centre (Centro Internacional de Negocios) incentive regime. There is no fixed passive-investment floor for this temporary permit; the applicant must document the investment or business activity, means of subsistence, housing and a clean criminal record. The permit is valid for 2 years and renewable for successive 2-year periods, leading to permanent residence after 5 years. Larger qualifying real-estate investment can instead access the permanent-residence Green Card directly.

• Work: Authorises the declared investment/business activity.
• Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the activity.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members can join via family reunification.

Validity

730 days

Retired foreigners may be granted permanent residence in Cabo Verde without first completing 5 years of temporary residence. Means of subsistence are demonstrated through a regular pension or retirement income, and applicants must show housing, a clean record (no prison sentence over one year), no public-health or security risk, and basic knowledge of the official (Portuguese) language. The permanent permit has no expiry but is renewed every 5 years. Where the pension was earned outside Cabo Verde, the retiree benefits from an income-tax exemption under the personal income tax code (CIRPS).

• Work: Permanent residence allows work, though the route targets retirees living on pension income.
• Study: Permanent residents may study on equal terms.
• Residency: Permanent residence granted directly to qualifying retirees; renewed every 5 years.
• Family: Spouse and dependants can be included or join via family reunification.

Validity

1,825 days

Family reunification residence authorisation allows a foreigner lawfully resident in Cabo Verde to bring close family members, namely the spouse, the couple's or one spouse's minor or dependent children, and adopted minors. Applicants must show the family relationship, that the sponsor holds valid residence, and adequate means of subsistence and housing. The permit follows the standard temporary residence regime, valid 2 years and renewable for successive 2-year periods, and counts toward permanent residence after 5 years. Family members generally enjoy access to work and study.

• Work: Reunited family members generally access the labour market under their residence permit.
• Study: Family members may study on equal terms.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Designed for the spouse, minor/dependent children and adopted minors of the sponsor.

Validity

730 days

Temporary residence authorisation for foreigners performing a highly qualified activity, defined chiefly as teaching or research at a higher-education or scientific institution in Cabo Verde. It requires a residence visa, proof of the qualified position (such as a contract or appointment from the institution), means of subsistence, housing and a clean criminal record. The permit is valid for 2 years and renewable for successive 2-year periods, with permanent residence available after 5 years of temporary residence.

• Work: Authorises the highly qualified teaching or research activity.
• Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the activity.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members can join via family reunification.

Validity

730 days

The residence visa is the consular entry visa for foreigners who intend to establish habitual residence in Cabo Verde, typically to take up subordinate or independent professional activity certified by an employment or service contract. It is issued by a Cabo Verde embassy or consulate before travel and must be converted, after arrival, into a residence authorisation (autorizacao de residencia) granted by the Direccao de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras. The visa establishes the lawful basis for the first residence-permit application; specific supporting documents depend on the residence category being sought.

• Work: Underpins a residence permit that authorises the declared employment or self-employment.
• Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the main activity.
• Residency after 5 years
• Family: Family members can join via family reunification once residence is established.

Permanent residence authorisation is granted to foreigners who have held temporary residence authorisation for at least 5 years (3 years for relatives of Cabo Verdean nationals) and to qualifying retirees. Applicants must show means of subsistence, adequate housing, no prison sentence exceeding one year, no public-health or security risk, and demonstrated knowledge of the official Portuguese language. The status has no expiry date but the Titulo de Residencia must be renewed every 5 years. Permanent residents enjoy near-equal treatment with nationals in work, study and social rights and can later pursue naturalisation.

• Work: Work without restriction, near-equal treatment with nationals.
• Study: Education on equal terms with nationals.
• Residency: This is permanent residence; naturalisation may follow under the nationality law.

Validity

1,825 days